Minnesota is blessed with vast wind resources; the majority of the state is suitable for commercial development of distributed wind projects. Last fall, CDS entered into an agreement to support the efforts of the Minnesota Farmers Union and the National Lab of the Rockies to engage rural Minnesotans in discussions around distributed wind and explore the opportunities and challenges it presents in the state.
This work is supported by a grant through the USDA and Department of Energy’s Rural and Agricultural Income and Savings from Renewable Energy (RAISE) initiative. The goal of RAISE is to help rural small businesses, farmers, and electric cooperatives cut costs and generate new revenue streams via renewable energy deployments.
Our work is centered around increasing awareness of distributed wind by fostering conversations around new and innovative business models for farmers and local power providers that utilize these distributed energy resources. We will host outreach events (in-person and virtual) this spring with MFU as they support their members’ efforts to access renewable energy technology. We welcome farmers, rural businesses, and rural electric cooperatives to reach out to us to discuss ideas or opportunities, or to be connected to technical assistance for wind projects.
For more information, please reach out to Cory Neeley, email
Ag & Energy Program Specialist at CDS.
